Just Call Me “Wog”… With VIDEO!!!

John HurlbutFlying, Personal Growth2 Comments

Well today was finally the day!  My first solo flight!  The day started out rather discouraging.  The automated weather at Thun Field (KPLU) is still out, so we’re still going on best information we have available to determine what the weather is doing, which usually means checking the METAR and TAF at McChord Field on JBLM.  They were reporting Marginal VFR conditions with the ceiling between 1,800 and 2,000 feet.  Pattern altitude at Thun is 1,500 feet, but being a student pilot I need to maintain at least 500 feet of vertical separation from the clouds, which means the clouds need to be at a minimum 2,000 feet. I arrived at the airport at 9:30 for my 10AM flight lesson.  I checked the gas and the oil in the plane and began my weight and balance calculations.  Since the automated weather was out, AND I REALLY wanted to fly, I … Read More

Solo Close But Yet Solo Far…

John HurlbutFlying2 Comments

Amazing flight lesson today!  I had booked the plane (N84823) from 5PM – 8PM for a good long lesson.  Unfortunately my two other scheduled lessons this week were cancelled due to weather.  Tuesday and Thursday were no gos, but the sun was shining brightly today and even though it was hot, we were gonna fly! I arrived at the airport at 4:30, checked the gas and the oil in the plane, and did my preflight calculations for weight and balance.  Final check of the weather and headed back out to the plane for my preflight check.  My instructor was still debriefing with her last student, but that’s quite alright.  I like doing the preflight on my own, taking my time to double check everything is just right.  At about 5:15 she arrived at the plane and we saddled up and got ready to head out.  She originally said we were … Read More

The Pilot’s Lounge and a Flight Lesson

John HurlbutFlying, Home Improvement2 Comments

I’m super stoked for how today went! I got to sleep in until almost 9AM!! Teri and I got up and we had some errands to run in our effort to turn our bonus room into a home theater/swanky pilot’s lounge.  First up was a trip to the Old Cannery to see if we could find a TV Stand for the new TV that will be going in the room.  Success! We found one that will fit the new TV perfectly, as well as the front main speakers, center channel speaker and all the AV gear.   The TV will be a Samsung UN65H7150 65″.  I’m going to wire the room for 7.1 surround sound. I’m going with Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 for the Sub, center channel, surround, and surround back speakers.  A pair of Definitive Technology ProMonitor 100’s will provide the front main sound.  Finally to drive everything, I’ll pick … Read More

Stop Wearing Black T-Shirts…

John HurlbutFlying1 Comment

Finally after a couple of weeks off, I got to fly again today!  Last week my instructor was at the EAA AirVenture in OshKosh Wisconsin (Note: Teri and I WILL be there next year) and I was in Las Vegas.  The weekend before that, the winds had my instructor and I in the simulator, not the actual plane, so it’s been awhile. I always try to get to the airport early to do my preflight so I’m not using valuable flight and instructor time to do that.  I had to put a quart of oil in the plane, but no biggie, I’ve done that at least a half a dozen times.  The AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) was out of service at Thun field today, so I had to look around the area to get an accurate depiction of the weather, but again, no biggie.  I was a little nervous … Read More

Big Dreams and Living Low Carb in Sin City

John HurlbutPersonal Growth1 Comment

This week I’m at a Real Estate Conference in Las Vegas.  I’m with nearly 4,000 individuals at the Mike Ferry SuperStar Retreat.  Now if you know anything about real estate trainers, and coaching companies, the name “Ferry” is pretty high up on the list.  Not only has Mike been training Real Estate agents for 40 years, his sons, Tom and Matt have also gotten into the real estate agent training game. Another prominent name in this forum is Brian Buffini.  Now if you know anything about me, you know I’ve been part of Brian Buffini’s system for over 11 years now.  I credit Brian and his “Referrals By Design” system with much of my success in my career really since it began.  I’ve been to probably 15 turning point retreats, two masterminds, and had a private coach for the better part of four years with Brian’s company.  I believe it’s … Read More